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E36 (1991 - 1999) The E36 chassis 3-Series BMW was a huge hit among driving enthusiasts from the first moment the car hit the pavement. The E36 won numerous awards over the years it was produced and is still a favorite of many BMW enthusiasts to this day! -- View the E36 Wiki

This morning I went to my car expecting to turn the engine over 1st time as always happens, but today the key would not turn. I used the car 12 hours earlier and locked up using the key fob as I always do.

Looking at the dashboard before I put the key in the mileage light was lit on the dashboard but no other lights. I could not turn the key in the ignition when I tried but the radio, wind screen wipers, interior and exterior lights and brake lights all worked. My husband has then wiggled the wheel more than I could and turned the key a little bit in the barrel and the park brake light, fuel gauge etc lit up on the dashboard.

Still the key will not turn in the barrel. We have jiggled the wheel, used WD40 on the barrel and the key and still nothing. The alarm wont set as I believe the car "thinks" the key is in the ignition in position 1 even when the key is not even in the car.

I think it may have to be a new ignition but I am hoping someone can once again save the day for me. At the moment all the light on the dashboard are lit and the lights etc all work even thought the car is locked and unattended.

Thank you in advance for any advice and thank you for your time reading this, it is very much appreciated.

Thanks for the reply, it appears that like everyone you have no idea either why this happened either. I think my car is unique as no-one knew what caused the last fault either and that was fixed by trial and error after hours of trying different things to get my brake lights to work.

Thanks, I was just trying to give as much information as I could because I wondered how I locked the car from the outside and not heard the alarm change its tone to alert me that something was wrong as it usually does.

I might be a bit happier if the key would spin but it just wont turn a bit!

We will have a go at taking the barrel tomorrow, just been hoping for a miracle to happen

Ok update, the reason the key wont turn and the radio and lights etc work is apparently because the steering lock has broken. This is why the car "thinks" the key is still in the ignition. Got to fing out now what;s broke and how to fix it! Any ideas?

You can replace the "security screws" with regular metric round head socket cap screws. To remove the old security screws, either do the hammer and chisel routine from here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...t/E36-Tilt.htm or slot the old screw heads with a Dremel cutoff disc and use an offset screwdriver to unscrew them. They are the worst part of the entire job. (yes, that says "tilt steering wheel retrofit", but the information you need is within that DIY article)